Posts by Rachel Spoelhof

Ok, Ok before you start thinking, “What is this post about? Time outs?” Don’t worry. I’m talking time out–out of the house/Moms Night Out/Girls Night Out/Boys Night out.

Nights out are a way to connect with others. To talk and share ups and downs from the week. A chance to listen to someone who needs to be heard. An opportunity to make memories – and yes, blast those fun, happy pictures all over your social media.

No matter what your station in life, a night out is a time to recharge!!

Here’s a few ideas to get recharged by a night out.

(As always, check Groupon, Living Social, and more for coupons and discounts on fun events/fitness classes and more in your area).

Indoor rock climbing – My local climbing gym has a once a week ladies night for $5!

Trampoline park – jump jump jump to recharge and laugh a lot.

A new fitness class – most fitness classes are free your first time and sweating with friends is a great way to recharge.

Try a new restaurant – Ask your friends for a recommendation and try something you wouldn’t normally off the menu.

Go bowling – bowling is a fun way to have an activity that still allows you to talk and visit.

Drive around at night and find a place to sit and look at the stars – I know sometimes I get so caught up in life I forget to look at the beauty all around me.

Get pampered at a salon – I went to a moms night out last night at a salon for snacks, drinks, and blowouts. We even got a makeup lesson. It was so fun and a really relaxing way to talk and spend time with old and new friends.…

I am a creature of habit and routine. I could easily eat the same foods and do the same things every day and not really think about it. I like structure.

Sometimes that’s a good thing. It’s how I get out of the house every day. It’s why (I think) my kids are good at bedtime. Routine. Structure.

But here’s the bad thing: when you always do the same things you miss out on adventure, excitement, and the challenge that comes with getting out of your routine and out of your comfort zone.

Who will you meet? How will you grow? Who can you become?

Each new experience is a change to answer those questions. Yes, we will fail, but we will also learn!

So, go out and do something new. Your life is waiting for you.

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Can you believe it is July already? One big reality about it being July is that means we are at the halfway point of 2015! This is the perfect time to reflect on where you are and where you are going so that you can recharge your goals.

So let’s talk about your goals for the year!

First – do you have your goals written out? (If not DO IT NOW. TODAY!!) You need to look at your goals every day so you know where you are going. So you can be choosing specific daily actions that will move you toward your goals.

Second – Do your goals have a specific date and description? Ask yourself: When will you accomplish these goals? How will you know when you are there?

Third – You must decide to succeed. Visualize yourself achieving your goals. What does your life look like? How does that affect you, your family, your job when you reach that goal? Once you have decided to succeed, be intentional about the thoughts you allow in your head. Renew your mind daily with prayer, devotions, and personal development to stay focused on your goals. You CAN do it and you WILL do it. Tell yourself that EVERY DAY!!! If you change your thoughts, feelings, and actions you will get different results!

So how does this all fit together? How will this help me reach my goals? Simple. “If you don’t know where you are going you will probably end up somewhere else.” -Zig Ziglar

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If some of this seems familiar–GOOD! I talked about this same thing in my post, “Reveal Your Destination!” Nothing has changed. You are still going to have to put in the same effort, the same consistent daily actions, and take the same steps …

I am sharing this exercise from a leadership group that I am in. I mentioned last month about the value of being mentored, and I still highly recommend that you have someone in your life that can challenge you to reach out of your comfort zone.

1. START

Write down one thing that you feel you are struggling with in life.

Something you fell you can’t do or can’t master.

Begin your comment with “I can’t…”

(For example: “I can’t keep my office clean.” “I can’t wake up early.”)

2. RE-WRITE

Now, re-write your comment. Replace “I can’t” with “I won’t.”

3. REFLECT

How does that new statement make you feel?

4. RELEASE

Now do you see how what you thought was a result “I can’t keep my office organized,” is actually a CHOICE that you made not to do something. It’s time to release your excuses and take full responsibility for your results and actions.

Stop saying “I can’t.” Start saying “I won’t.” Then take action to release your excuses and fix it!

I would love for you to take on this challenge with me. Please write one of your “I won’t” statements in the comments and share how you are going to release the excuse and change that won’t into a will!

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